Eriophorum

Eriophorum russeolum is known from adjacent areas of Ontario and Wisconsin, and likely will be found in the Upper Peninsula. It has an inflorescence consisting of a single terminal spikelet, as in E. vaginatum, but with stems arising from elongate, creeping rhizomes, rather than being densely cespitose.

Eriophorum virginicum is rather different from all our other species in flowering and fruiting quite late in the season, and also having the inflorescence dense, sometimes appearing head-like, even though composed of more than one spikelet. However, as in all other species with multiple spikelets, there are one to several elongated bracts associated with the inflorescence. Species with a single terminal spikelet lack elongate bracts.

1. Spikelet solitary, erect, without any involucral leaves; base of spikelet with several sterile scales.

4. Scales thin, drab to blackish or lead colored, at least toward apex, usually with an evident midnerve (or if this obscure, then the anthers longer); achenes often shorter; spikelets maturing in June or early July (though persisting into or even through the winter), the pedicels usually elongating, the longer ones at length ± nodding.